Major warehouse fire in Marchwood causes explosions felt across Southampton

A MAJOR investigation is underway today after a huge warehouse blaze rocked parts of Southampton.

More than 25 firefighters from across the city have been battling flames engulfed the building in Marchwood.

Residents from as far away as the centre of Southampton, Bitterne, Shirley and Hamble have reported their homes and windows being shaken by the force of the blasts caused by the blaze.

Heidi Rehman, 41, a fundraiser for The Haven Wessex, who lives in Kestrel Close, Marchwood: "It shook every house in the village and was heard the other side of Southampton.

"It smells of gas. Our whole house shook. We felt all the doors and the windows shake for several seconds like a mini earthquake.

"We didn't know what it was at first but then realised we could hear a lot of emergency services vehicles. Everybody is talking about it."

Jackie Clevett, of Hythe, was one of many people posting pictures on Twitter. She said: "The explosion made me jump. I felt the windows shake. I could tell it wasn't immediately nearby."

Sarah Dorricott, 24, was at home in her house in Bilberry Drive when she heard the explosion.
She said: "I was in my room and the window shook and I heard a loud bang - I thought my parents had slammed a door downstairs but they ran upstairs to see if I had banged something.

"It was only when I went on social media that I realised it was an explosion. I could see the smoke and a glow from my window.

"I'm glad nobody was hurt."

Chloe Adams, 28, an assistant merchandiser who lives in a block of flats in Briton Street, In the centre of Southampton, said: "The entire flat jolted but without any obvious cause. There was a sudden gust of wind that blew through but for no reason. It was all a bit eerie.

"I can't believe it was caused by a fire so far away. It must have be such a big explosion to be felt this distance."

The warehouse, which is home to a lorry servicing unit, is located on an industrial park in Cracknore Hard, close to the military base in Marchwood.

It is understood that the one-storey steel structure, which measures 35m x 25m, was empty when the fire started and there have been no reports of any injuries.

The explosions heard and felt by residents across the city are believed to have been caused by numerous gas cylinders combusting as the fire took hold.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue have confirmed that the fire is under control and "all are safe". The fire is still burning, but there is said to be no risk to any surrounding buildings.

Crews from St Mary's, Hardley, Totton and Hythe were all drafted in to help tackle the blaze at about 7.30pm last night.

A spokesperson from Hampshire Fire and Rescue said that it is not known who raised the alarm and that most of the building had been damaged by the fire.

A spokesman said: "South Central Ambulance Service were called to reports of a fire in Cracknore Hard Lane. We have sent our Hazardous Area Response Team, ambulance officer and an ambulance crew to the scene. Ambulance staff remain on standby at the site.”

County councillor David Harrison, who represents Marchwood, told the Daily Echo that he had contacted Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service who assured him the blaze was out.

He said: "It was heard as far away as Hythe, so it probably cause a little bit of alarm but it is under control."

Thanks for that. In other news, I neither heard nor saw anything and had a very quiet evening where not much happened. I also strongly suspect I was never molested by any celebrities in the seventies.

[quote][p][bold]yellowcard[/bold] wrote:
Didn't hear a thing in Millbrook[/p][/quote]Thanks for that. In other news, I neither heard nor saw anything and had a very quiet evening where not much happened. I also strongly suspect I was never molested by any celebrities in the seventies.bornandbread

Thanks for that. In other news, I neither heard nor saw anything and had a very quiet evening where not much happened. I also strongly suspect I was never molested by any celebrities in the seventies.

Only suspect?

[quote][p][bold]bornandbread[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]yellowcard[/bold] wrote:
Didn't hear a thing in Millbrook[/p][/quote]Thanks for that. In other news, I neither heard nor saw anything and had a very quiet evening where not much happened. I also strongly suspect I was never molested by any celebrities in the seventies.[/p][/quote]Only suspect?KSO16R

I felt the force of that explosion in Hythe last night, made me jump out my skin. Over the weekend we've been to the local rubbish tip in Marchwood, which is very close to this warehouse and there has been the most dreadful smell in that area, much worse than normal. I wonder if that had anything to do with it.

I felt the force of that explosion in Hythe last night, made me jump out my skin. Over the weekend we've been to the local rubbish tip in Marchwood, which is very close to this warehouse and there has been the most dreadful smell in that area, much worse than normal. I wonder if that had anything to do with it.jen1

We're on Millbrook Road East behind Mayflower Terminal. My mum saw the blast, and a few seconds later the blast (not very loud) rattled the windows. All we could see after was a glow from the fire, and a ton of smoke. Glad that no one was hurt in the incident, and that everything is under control :)

We're on Millbrook Road East behind Mayflower Terminal. My mum saw the blast, and a few seconds later the blast (not very loud) rattled the windows. All we could see after was a glow from the fire, and a ton of smoke. Glad that no one was hurt in the incident, and that everything is under control :)Kiera_Malone

Shame about the few stupid, flippant comments. It isn't funny when your husband is one of the fire- fighters there and you are sat up waiting for news and for him to return safely to his family.

Shame about the few stupid, flippant comments. It isn't funny when your husband is one of the fire- fighters there and you are sat up waiting for news and for him to return safely to his family.Teresaking2002

Teresaking2002 wrote:
Shame about the few stupid, flippant comments. It isn't funny when your husband is one of the fire- fighters there and you are sat up waiting for news and for him to return safely to his family.

Well done was scary thanks firefighters

[quote][p][bold]Teresaking2002[/bold] wrote:
Shame about the few stupid, flippant comments. It isn't funny when your husband is one of the fire- fighters there and you are sat up waiting for news and for him to return safely to his family.[/p][/quote]Well done was scary thanks firefightersnannymcdowner@gmail.com

i could smell burnt rubber last night and thought i was having a stroke, then realised it was burnt toast smells that was a sign of strokes, so instead blamed the dog. Maybe it was this - sorry dog.

i could smell burnt rubber last night and thought i was having a stroke, then realised it was burnt toast smells that was a sign of strokes, so instead blamed the dog. Maybe it was this - sorry dog.halibutjackson

Teresaking2002 wrote:
Shame about the few stupid, flippant comments. It isn't funny when your husband is one of the fire- fighters there and you are sat up waiting for news and for him to return safely to his family.

Or your son. Even less funny to find today he was one of the 5 treated on sight.

Live in our shoes for a while before you find it funny.

[quote][p][bold]Teresaking2002[/bold] wrote:
Shame about the few stupid, flippant comments. It isn't funny when your husband is one of the fire- fighters there and you are sat up waiting for news and for him to return safely to his family.[/p][/quote]Or your son. Even less funny to find today he was one of the 5 treated on sight.
Live in our shoes for a while before you find it funny.Rachie

Teresaking2002 wrote:
Shame about the few stupid, flippant comments. It isn't funny when your husband is one of the fire- fighters there and you are sat up waiting for news and for him to return safely to his family.

Or your son. Even less funny to find today he was one of the 5 treated on sight.

Live in our shoes for a while before you find it funny.

[quote][p][bold]Teresaking2002[/bold] wrote:
Shame about the few stupid, flippant comments. It isn't funny when your husband is one of the fire- fighters there and you are sat up waiting for news and for him to return safely to his family.[/p][/quote]Or your son. Even less funny to find today he was one of the 5 treated on sight.
Live in our shoes for a while before you find it funny.Rachie

Teresaking2002 wrote:
Shame about the few stupid, flippant comments. It isn't funny when your husband is one of the fire- fighters there and you are sat up waiting for news and for him to return safely to his family.

Or your son. Even less funny to find today he was one of the 5 treated on site.

Live in our shoes for a while before you find it funny.

[quote][p][bold]Teresaking2002[/bold] wrote:
Shame about the few stupid, flippant comments. It isn't funny when your husband is one of the fire- fighters there and you are sat up waiting for news and for him to return safely to his family.[/p][/quote]Or your son. Even less funny to find today he was one of the 5 treated on site.
Live in our shoes for a while before you find it funny.Rachie

People often make light of traumatic incidents. The explosions would've scared and upset a lot of people, especially in light of the recent elevation of the Terror threat alert. I'm certain no offense was meant to anyone whose relatives and loved ones were fighting the fire.
The police and firemen I know will often try to make light of the more gruesome incidents they deal with. It is their way of distancing themselves emotionally so that they can do their job effectively, rather than be an emotional wreck unable to be of any help at all.
I'm sure everyone here knows full well what a great job they do, and respects the courage and dedication they continually display.

People often make light of traumatic incidents. The explosions would've scared and upset a lot of people, especially in light of the recent elevation of the Terror threat alert. I'm certain no offense was meant to anyone whose relatives and loved ones were fighting the fire.
The police and firemen I know will often try to make light of the more gruesome incidents they deal with. It is their way of distancing themselves emotionally so that they can do their job effectively, rather than be an emotional wreck unable to be of any help at all.
I'm sure everyone here knows full well what a great job they do, and respects the courage and dedication they continually display.RomseyKeith

Teresaking2002 wrote:
Shame about the few stupid, flippant comments. It isn't funny when your husband is one of the fire- fighters there and you are sat up waiting for news and for him to return safely to his family.

Or your son. Even less funny to find today he was one of the 5 treated on site.

Live in our shoes for a while before you find it funny.

Hope he's okay.

[quote][p][bold]Rachie[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Teresaking2002[/bold] wrote:
Shame about the few stupid, flippant comments. It isn't funny when your husband is one of the fire- fighters there and you are sat up waiting for news and for him to return safely to his family.[/p][/quote]Or your son. Even less funny to find today he was one of the 5 treated on site.
Live in our shoes for a while before you find it funny.[/p][/quote]Hope he's okay.Teresaking2002